The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-23

time in advancing his acquaintance with
several branches of scientific learning. Al
ter his return to the United States he taught
astronomy successively at Harvard, the Ma
val Academy at Annapolis, and Plttsburg.
His lectures gave him widespread reputa-
ton. The average reader will know Prof.
Langley the best as magazine writer on as
Economical subjects, the sun chiefly, he Is
the author of the New Astronomy, published
in the Century Magazine. To the honors
this learned man has earned at home must
be added those given him in England His
name appears among those OF the lecturers
before the Royal Institution OF London;
The Professor was among the distinguished
people invited to address the British Associ-
alton in the year 1882.
Prof. Langley has gone to Allegheny, Pa.
to resign his position in the observatory and
close up its affairs. He will, however, still
continue certain special work at the obsery-
atory.
The Cenesta's Designer Married.
]. Beaver Webb, the English yacht design
er, was married today, in the presence of a
distinguished assembly, among whom were
various foreign ministers, to Miss Alice May,
daughter of DR.. John K. May The ceremo-
ny was performed by Rev. Alfred Harding,
rector of st. Pauls Episcopal church. The
couple will make short bridal tour, and re-
turn to New York, where they will take up
their permanent residence.
Adjusting the Land Grants.
An important opinion by Attorney General
Garland. relative to the adjustment of rail
road land grants under the act of March 8,
1887, was made public today. Secretary. La
mar submitted several questions to Gal land
in reference to bona fdeIpurchasers of un-
claimed lands, the rights of such purchasers
to lands legally or illegally patented 70 rail-
land strongly emphasizes the remedial scope
of the act referred to, and says the intention
of certain sections is to relieve from loss the
settlers and bona fide purchasers. who,
through erroneous or wfengIu sP Ol
ment or by the railroads. have lost their
rights or acquired equities which, in justice,
should be recognized. Furthermore, the
whole remedial part. was passed with the
recognition of the fact that the railroad
companies had sold lands to which they had
Upon receipt of the opinion, Secretary
Lamar directed the Commissioner General
of the Land Office to proceed with as much
despatch as possible to adjust all the land
grants under the act of March Sd, 1887. in
accordance with the views of the Attorney
General.
Secretary Whitney's Condition.
Secretary Whitney was at the Navy De-
partment today, attending to some matters
which required his immediate consideration,
but he will not renew his general supervis-
ion of the Department until his health,
which is slowly improving, has been re-es-
tablished.
The Standard Oil Case.
Howard Page, who isconnected with the
management of the Standard Oil Company
of Kentucky, was examined in connection
with the Standard oil cases, before the Inter-
of C0mmoraa Commission to-day He
states that no rebates of any kind were al
lowed the Standard Oil Company by rail-
roads south of Ohio, and that the rates paid
are the published rates given to everybody.
The Law Upheld.
The Civil Service Commissioners have re-
ceived many replies to the circular sent out
to federal officials throughout the country,
asking their opinion as to the civil seryice
law and its operation. These replies differ
in character, but most OF them approve and
sustain the law. These responses will be
published in the forthcoming annual report
of the Commission, which Will be ready by
the first of the new year.
Maine Matters.
F. w. Spring was today appointed post
master at North Fryeburg, vice Joseph Rus
sell, deceased.
The following Maine patents were granted
today: Andrew Mcfarlan, InOmaSt0n, car
pet stretcher; VIM. III. Taylor and q. ID.
Cults, Fort Fairfield, tension device for sew
ing machine.
Maine people today
ORIGINAL.
John W., father of Charles II. Dean, Buxton.
Charles II. Gibbs, Auburn.
INCREASE.
Reuel w. Dunlap, Gardiner.
John L. Fassett, Augusta.
Leonard A Small Damascus.
Frank L. Kenney, Bangor.
Thomas f. Green, Warren.
Henry II. Scribner, Springfield.
REISSUE
Albion III. Clement, Searsmont.